JACKSON COUNTY — The bench trial of a 41-year-old Murphysboro man facing murder charges in the deaths of his parents started today in Jackson County.

Jackson County prosecutors believe Keith Ritcheson shot and killed Burl and Brenda Ritcheson in August 2017.

All three lived in the same home in Murphysboro.

Ritcheson is facing a minimum of 90 years in prison, if convicted of bother murders.

He opted for a bench trial instead of the usual trial-by-jury, so the judge set aside Tuesday and Wednesday for the case.

Ritcheson has been indicted in two alternate counts with causing the death of Burl Ritcheson and two alternate counts with causing the death of Brenda Ritcheson by shooting them knowing it would cause their deaths or great bodily harm. The incident happened during the overnight hours of Sunday, Aug. 13 and Monday, Aug. 14, 2017.